The barista swept the dishes, napkins and crumbs from the table in a graceful gesture. Cassandra watched him, peering over her cup of masala coffee. The note of cardamom was strong, slightly bitter. She concentrated on it rather than on her unsteady nerves.

"Everything all right?"

"I think so." She took a deep breath. "I hope I get this job."

He smiled understandingly. Cassandra looked at him appraisingly. There was something about his smile remarkably un-stunning. Perhaps he was a human after all. She didn't know why, but it gave her a slight relief. Humans were complicated enough in their own way.

"Why did Dr. Thorn interview you here, rather than at the lab?"

Cassandra was crestfallen as she realized she had been trying to avoid asking herself that question. Perhaps Dr. Thorn hadn't had an official reason to turn down the interview and had gone through something hurried and informal out of obligation. Then she reminded herself of the doctor's detailed questions and her positive vibes at Cassandra's response.

Labels: timed writing challenge

"Thank you, Miss Eliot. May I have a list of your references?"

In the stress of the situation Cassandra was overdoing everything. She had checked her portfolio three times that morning to assure herself of its contents, and now she withdrew one of five copies with an exaggerated gesture.

Dr. Thorn tipped up her deeply-tinted glasses to look over the page, then returned them to her nose. "Two are my fellow faculty members. Very nice, Miss Eliot." She was so calm, so business-like, Cassandra's mind flew ahead to the future, imagining working with Dr. Thorn and discovering the real person, if there were one. Dr. Thorn was every bit as cold and more intimidating than Cassandra had imagined, and she was glad she had overprepared for her interview, as it had given her more confidence.

She felt a stunned reprieve when she realized Dr. Thorn was closing their interview. She shook hands with Cassandra and smiled with a limited degree of warmth. "You are a promising applicant, Miss Eliot. It has been a pleasure."

Cassandra rose as Dr. Thorn did so, bowing her head respectfully as the scientist passed her on her way to the door. Cassandra looked after her, studying the fine, elegant cut of her white suit. Before she stepped outside, Dr. Thorn swathed her black hair and pale neck with an elegant white scarf.

Cassandra didn't realize she was shaking her head in mixed amazement and dismay until the barista came to her table to clean up, at least on pretext.

"How did things go?" he asked with a curious smile.

Cassandra sank slowly back into her seat. "As well as they could go. I didn't flub up. I don't think it would have mattered if I had. Dr. Thorn is a scientist through and through, interested in evidence, not presentation."

"I thought I recognized Dr. Thorn."

"Has she interviewed other applicants here?" Cassandra asked hesitantly.

Labels: timed writing challenge

"My last summer internship was spent in a veterinary clinic specializing in horses. We restrained the animals with special harnesses before their exams."

"Of course. And did you ever tranquilize the animals?"

"In one case, an animal had to be tranquilized. I prepared the fluid according to the doctor's instructions, but I did not tranquilize the animal."

"Have you worked with animals besides horses?"

"There were other animals admitted to the clinic, dogs and cats."

"Describe your level of experience in handling difficult animals."

Dr. Thorn's questions were so rapid-fire Cassandra barely drank her masala coffee, keeping it in a tight grip in one hand. "I am competent at handling large or difficult animals. I have a good sense about what frightens or hurts them and can minimize their stress without much restraint."

Dr. Thorn regarded Cassandra thoughtfully. With regard to appearance, Cassandra might have made an appealing protege for her. Like the doctor Cassandra was pale with dark hair. Dr. Thorn's features were more refined, however, and her coal-black eyes were inscrutable. Cassandra's eyes were the color of an overcast sky, and her face tended to look somewhat timorous.

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Cassandra accepted the masale coffee from his outstretched hand gratefully, inhaling the mingled spices of cardamom and cloves.

At the other end of the room she noticed a pale, dark-haired woman she had not seen before, and her heart gave a leap. She knew by the woman's regal bearing and elegant clothing that she had a very good chance of being Dr. Thorn, Cassandra's prospective employer.

Confirming her belief, the woman looked up at Cassandra attentively for a moment, then rose. Clutching her coffee mug with both hands, Cassandra moved hastily across the room, then extended one hand in greeting. "Dr. Thorn? I'm Cassandra Eliot."

"Miss Eliot. A pleasure." Dr. Thorn shook her hand and nodded briefly, as composed and objective as Cassandra had imagined she would be.

Dr. Thorn had purchased no coffee or breakfast bun for herself. On the table before her were Cassandra's resume, a tablet, and a heavy, somewhat old-fashioned pen.

"Miss Eliot, your university records show you to be a remarkable student. You are taking somewhat general classes, as can be expected. Tell me about your experiences in your animal studies lab."

"Thank you, Dr. Thorn." While Dr. Thorn had spoken Scarlet had taken the opportunity to taste her coffee, which was delicious and enlivening.

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Cassandra attempted to shrug off the tight hold her nerves kept. "I have a job interview in a few minutes, actually."

"Well, good luck with that."

"Thanks." Cassandra looked at the coffee he was making for her, wishing he could imbue it with a double shot of extra confidence. "It's really important to me. I am great admirer of this person's work."

"Your interview is here?"

Cassandra nodded.

"Why don't you come by and tell me how it went, okay? I'll be rooting for you. Oh, and-" He passed her a small paper-wrapped object. "Teddy bear cookie for you on the house."

"Thanks." Cassandra gave a dazed laugh. "I may save that for later."

"Seriously." He cast her a direct gaze. "Let me know how it went."

Labels: timed writing challenge

Cassandra stepped into a coffee shop that was cool and dark in contrast to the blinding light outside. The odors of coffee and fresh pastries wafted even through the doorway with each swing of the door to the patrons at rest in the patio chairs outside.

She needed a moment to collect herself before her big interview.

She stepped up to the coffee bar and met the gaze of a tall, slender man with long, pale hair and sea-green eyes. He gazed back at her penetratingly for a moment before he collected himself to take her order.

Cassandra realized with a slightly dazed feeling that he wasn't human. Could this be one of the angels rumored to be colonizing Cristalle? She tried not to pay any more note to him and focused herself on her order.

As she scanned over the daily offerings she was filled with self-doubt, derived probably from her pending interview with a great idol of hers. She had no idea if her coffee order should say something about her, be the opposite of all that she was, be parsimonous or extravagant.

She ordered a masala coffee redolent with spices and mystique, something whose odor would transport her for a while to a gypsy caravan under the desert sun.

"My personal favorite," the man behind the counter commented, to which Cassandra did not have a reply.

Because there were no customers in line behind her he started on her order immediately, and Cassandra watched his deft, efficient work as he ground, spiced and brewed her coffee.

He gave her a backward glance after a moment. "So what are you doing today?" he asked.

Labels: timed writing challenge